CHARLES E. GREEN & SON
THE BRUSH INDUSTRY’S SUPPLIER SINCE 1871
THE CHESTNUT STREET FACTORY; CHARLES GREEN IN CENTER WITH FACTORY BOYS CIRCA 1899.
Charles E. Green (center), founder of the company, was a native of Connecticut before moving to New York and later to Newark, NJ. He was an innovator in metal working processes and holder of several U.S. patents. Born in 1832, he lived until 1901.
Record entry from Charles Green’s notebook
INDUSTRY PIONEER
“Wire Ferrule Manufactory”
The Industrial Interests of Newark, NJ,
William F. Ford, New York, New York:
Van Arsdale & Company, 1874, Page 227.
Charles Green is recognized as a pioneer in his field, as shown in this reprint from the 1874 book, The Industrial Interests of Newark, N.J:
“The products of this manufactory are wire ferrules for paint brushes, and the business was established in 1871. These ferrules are now regarded as unequaled for the purpose named. The old method of using twine for ferrules is now entirely out of use. Mr. Chas. E. Green was the pioneer in this branch of industry. His ferrules are sold to brush manufacturers in all parts of the country, but principally in Philadelphia, New York and Brooklyn. Four hands are employed in the factory and the weekly payroll is $30. The daily product is 2,000 ferrules ferrules, and the value of yearly production is $10,000.”
In 1871 inventor Thomas Edison set up his first small laboratory in Newark. That same year Charles Green established his company located in the heart of Newark at 78 Chestnut Street.; In 1873, two years after the company’s inception, Green and his partner, J.H. Bodwell were issued a patent, for the “Improvement of [brush] Ferrules”:
“This invention relates to that class of ferrules used upon paint and varnish brushes to bind and secure the bristles; and consists in making the ferrules of corrugated sheet metal, such as brass, tin, or other light metal , in one or more thickness, and soldered together, which may be done by immersing them in the solder. The ferrule, being corrugated, imitates the twine or wire, and holds the bristles just as securely, and is much more durable, not so liable to give way, and can be manufactured at about one-half the cost of ordinary wire-ferrule…”
Early company records show transactions with brush makers such as Charles Boeckh of Toronto, Hanlon and Goodman of New York and Meakins and Sons of Ontario. One bill from 1879 records the sale of 3,500 soldered round sash ferrules to Meakins and Sons. The total cost being $45.86! Charles Green was a pioneer in his field and revolutionized the way ferrules would be made forever. This penchant for innovation would be present for years to come…
